A workshop titled "Guidelines for Researching Sensitive Topics and Working with Vulnerable Populations" was held on January 22-23, 2025, at the CSEA conference hall in Abuja. The workshop was led by Sixtus Onyekwere, a Non-resident Associate (CSEA), PhD candidate at the University of Portsmouth and board member of the Centre for the Advancement of Equality , Gender and Inclusion Studies (AEGIS). The workshop included a thorough discussion of important research themes. Four key modules were covered: Trauma-Informed Care Protocols, Duty of Care, Principles of Continuing Consent and Assent, and Feminist Interviewing Techniques. The event fostered significant discussions through collaborative group work, role play  and Q/A sessions, giving attendees invaluable opportunities to share and exchange ideas. The workshop also featured a presentation by Chisom Udora and Dr. Uche Anyamele on CSEA’s Gender Inclusion Index project. After the training, participants had a better understanding of best practices on researching/working with survivors of VAWG.

On January 15th, 2025, the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB) partnered with the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) to enhance subnational policy creation through evidence-based research. This partnership is an important step towards improving data systems and encouraging evidence-based decision-making at the state level in Nigeria. CSEA was represented by Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director; Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Director of Research; and Dr. Abdulfatai Adedeji, Research Fellow. Through this partnership, CSEA will play a vital role in providing states with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully use data to make significant decisions. The collaboration between MEPB and CSEA lays the groundwork for scaling these efforts to additional states, assuring a greater influence on sustainable development in Nigeria.

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), in collaboration with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), held a comprehensive three-day training program for facilitators, supervisors, and enumerators from three states: Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano. It was held at the B. Nakowa Hotel in Dutse, Jigawa State, from January 8th to 10th, 2025. The training aimed to prepare participants for their roles in implementing the baseline survey by providing them with essential skills and knowledge. The event was organized by the CSEA team, which included Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Dr. Oluwatosin Edafe, and Mr. Adejo Moses Adejo, in partnership with an IFDC delegation led by Mr. Joshua Arogunyo, the MELs Country Coordinator for Nigeria.

The training program focused on data  collection, which included the use of standardized instruments and proficient data management methodologies; interactive sessions and practical exercises to ensure participants understood the Soil Values Program, its objectives, and their specific responsibilities during the baseline survey. This training created a solid platform for effective interventions aimed at meeting the program's objectives and facilitating considerable transformation in the targeted states.

On December 14, 2024, CSEA hosted a special delegation from the State of California, led by Dr. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of Transportation for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), alongside Dr. Aditya Ramji, University of California Davis Institute of Transportation Technology, and Giles F. Giovinazzi,Senior Advisor, California State Transportation Agency.

The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations in areas such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and the transfer of knowledge and skills, with an emphasis on renewable energy, energy transition, climate change, economic development, and the creative economy.

During the visit, Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director of CSEA, and the CSEA team provided valuable insights into the organization's work on climate financing, energy, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA highlighting areas where there may be opportunities for collaboration.

The discussions also focused on fostering partnerships, building capacity, and initiating development projects to further strengthen these areas in Nigeria.

Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena participated in the 2024 Africa Policy Circle Conference, held at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe, Malawi, on December 10-11, 2024. The conference, supported by, konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung-Political Dialogue for Sub-Saharan Africa (KAS PolDiSSA), brought together experts and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the opportunities and challenges under the theme ‘South Africa G20 Presidency: Steering Digital Rights, Inclusion, and Anti-Corruption Efforts’.

As South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency, the conference recognized the significance of this moment for Africa. With the African Union now included in the G20, there is a unique opportunity to amplify African voices and advocate for the continent's collective interests.

The event featured several sessions of meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing aimed at promoting digital rights inclusion, combating corruption, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable development trajectory for Africa.